60 



A visit to the localit}', as already stated, revealed the fact that 

 although several species of native locusts were dying in large numbers, 

 yet, contrary to the rule with insects that had been attacked by Empusa, 

 these Colorado 'hoppers all fell to the ground instead of remaining 

 fastened to the vegetation. About the same time, and also somewhat 

 later in the season, other reports were received of similar epidemics 

 occurring among the grasshoppers in localities where no infection of 

 any kind had been distributed. This year again other reports of 

 similar epidemics occurring among these insects were received here at 

 the University of Nebraska. One of these was so remarkable in nature 

 that a representative of the experiment station visited the locality to 

 make an investigation. He was also requested to secure specimens of 

 the dead and dying insects so as to ascertain, if possible, the cause of 

 the epidemic. Other material was received at the station from corre- 

 spondents, and from both of these lots of dead insects there was 

 obtained, among other things (as Spirillum and Bacterium), a Sporo- 

 trichum, the specitic identification of which was not ascertained at the 

 time, as the botanists were then all away on their summer vacations. 

 Since their return school duties have prevented their giving the neces- 

 sary time to the matter, hence we can only suggest that this may be a 

 second species of the genus which attacks locusts. 



While most of these local outbreaks among our native locusts occur 

 in moist localities, such as irrigated tields and bottom lands, the one 

 near Ogallala, Nebr., was in a field which irrigation did not reach, and 

 came at a time when little or no rain had fallen for several weeks. 

 The species of locusts found generally among the dead were Melano- 

 plus dijfereiitialis, M. hlvittatm, M. (itlanis^ M. ferivur-nibrum, M. 

 packafdii^ Spharagenuyn coll are, Brachydola magna, and Dissosteira 

 Carolina I these were numerous in the order named; a very encourag- 

 ing record when we take into consideration the differences in the 

 habits and structure of these insects. All the occurrences of this 

 last-named disease were in fields of alfalfa. 



The isolation of this fungus came so late in the year, and at a time 

 when other matters were so pressing, that further work with it was, for 

 the time being, impracticable. It is impossible, therefore, to predict 

 its probable future value as an artificial factor in the control of the 

 locust pest in the region where it was found. 



The Sjjorotrickmii glohidifenurii is reported as having been success- 

 fully used against the different species of destructive locusts in Algeria 

 during 1S99, l)ut whether the identiffcation of the fungus concerned is 

 reliable is not known. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



After having spent considerable time in experimenting under vari- 

 ous conditions and in different regions, as well as in the .study of the 

 reseai'ches carried on ])y others, it is the opinion of the writer that 



